HC Deb 02 March 1983 vol 38 cc233-4
8. Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in unemployment in North Lanarkshire since May 1979.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Seventeen thousand, six hundred and seventeen.

Mr. Robertson

Is the Under-Secretary aware that not long ago north Lanarkshire was the industrial heartland of Scotland? Do not the statistics to which he has confessed today—despite the fiddling to which they are subjected —represent a disgraceful indictment of the cackhandedness of the Government's economic policies and the cynical indifference of Ministers to their effects? Will the Government now recognise that there must be an end to the constant bleeding away of the industrial base of north Lanarkshire, before there is no industry there at all?

Mr. Fletcher

North Lanarkshire is especially suffering from job losses in the steel industry. But the Government have made tremendous efforts to help, by designating it a special development area, by the £60 million Scottish Development Agency project in Motherwell and by the £22 million SDA project in Coatbridge. Those and other activities have helped to bring substantial orders to north Lanarkshire during recent weeks.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my hon. Friend agree that in north Lanarkshire, as elsewhere, the best contribution that the Government have made has been the reduction in inflation and interest rates? Will not that, more than anything, help to make firms in north Lanarkshire and elsewhere more competitive? We must live in a competitive world.

Mr. Fletcher

My hon. Friend is absolutely right.

Dr. Bray

Is the Minister aware that production of steel in Ravenscraig is back to a level of more than 30,000 tonnes a week and that most of the steel for the Metro and Maestro comes from Ravenscraig? Nevertheless, is he aware that steel redundancies are continuing at an increasing rate in Lanarkshire? Does he accept that there has been a total and catastrophic failure of the Government's industrial policies in that area? If either of the strip mills at Ravenscraig or Gartcosh were closed, would not that be as economically stupid as it would be socially disastrous? When will the Government make a statement on that matter?

Mr. Fletcher

The Government made a statement on the future of Ravenscraig in December, and the position is still the same. I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's criticisms of the Government's economic policies. However, we very much appreciate the constructive attitude that he takes towards the problems and the important contribution that he makes to our discussions.

Mr. Millan

Will the Minister comment on the disturbing news that the headquarters of the plates group is to be moved from Scotland to Sheffield, with all the implications of that for the existing plate mills in Scotland? As there is continued uncertainty about the future of Ravenscraig and Gartcosh, will he make it absolutely clear that any further rundown at either plant has been completely ruled out by the Government?

As there are so many difficulties in the steel industry, is it not absolutely deplorable that not a single Tory Member accepted the invitation to be present at last Friday's STUC meeting in Scotland. They all apparently took the view that it was not of sufficient importance to merit their attendance.

Mr. Fletcher

The Government have already taken steps to ensure the immediate future of Ravenscraig. Its long-term future depends on its performance internationally and on its competitiveness. There have been press reports about the relocation of staff in British Steel, but I understand that the plans that BSC is considering will have no effect on operations at Dalzell, Glengarnock and Clydebridge.

Mr. Millan

Will the Minister confirm that any further rundown at Ravenscraig or Gartcosh is completely unacceptable to the Government, as it is certainly unacceptable to the Opposition?

Mr. Fletcher

I am surprised at the right hon. Gentleman's remarks. He knows from his conversations with the trade unions at Ravenscraig that they are willing to contemplate any steps that will improve the competitiveness of the Ravenscraig steelworks.